LII: The untouchable team

By Haley Gibson on February 1, 2018

The stage is set, the lights are out and the storylines couldn’t be better. Super Bowl LII is just over the horizon and the buzz is electric. As we begin to take our seats in anticipation of a Super Bowl XXXIX rematch, David is preparing for his toughest matchup yet because Goliath will be joining him in the championship.

Representing the AFC for the eighth time, Tom Brady has his eyes set on a sixth ring; a ring that will forever cement his name in the NFL record books and undeniably solidify the G.O.A.T. label to TB12; a ring that will make Tom Brady a legendary NFL icon; and a victory that would make that same name untouchable.

Furthermore, with the Patriots coming off a 24-20 thriller over the Jacksonville Jaguars, this team is primed for another championship celebration. So grease up those light poles, Minnesota, because, regardless of the outcome, a riot is headed your way.

As for the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles will play host to the underdog. Injuries have defined their Cinderella postseason run, and with their star quarterback Carson Wentz sitting on the sideline, it only makes these underdogs hungrier.

However, Nick Foles is a battle-tested quarterback and looks to bring home the Eagles’ first ever Lombardy Trophy. This has long escaped the grasp of a Philly organization that has paid its dues and is ready to move into a new era of football, especially after a 38-7 dismantling of the Minnesota Vikings, further proving that these dogs are not to be messed with.

The Eagles have all the pieces for an upset. What better way to do it than in a brilliant new stadium where everyone is rooting for the unexpected.

New England’s defense is famous for their “bend, but don’t break” mentality and the Eagles offense just came off of putting up 456 yards and five touchdowns on the number one overall defense. If they can capitalize on a similar outing, they could have Patriot’s head coach Bill Belichick on his heels.

These Eagles are flying high and with a fire like that, their excitement is boiling over. After the Minnesota game, Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson told ESPN, “Tom Brady is a pretty boy. He’s the best quarterback of all time, so, nothing I’d like to do more than dethrone that guy.” And if you read between the lines, Mr. Johnson is speaking on behalf of every football fan south of the New England area.

But what about this Superbowl is particularly exciting? Is it that Tom Brady has more playoff wins than Nick Foles has career wins? Is it that everyone predicted Nick Foles to appear in a Superbowl two years ago? Or could it be that regardless of how elite your defense is, Tom Brady continues to beat Father Time and prove that New England is unstoppable even with ten stitches in his hand?

Nevertheless, both teams have their work cut out for them, and the defending champs are looking to reclaim their title and become the only franchise to win back-to-back Superbowls within two decades.